by Todd, E. L.
“Ethan.”
He opened the door and looked at me. “Why are you here? I said I needed my space.”
“Ethan, let me come inside.”
He stared at me for a moment before he stepped away, allowing me into his room. He closed the door behind him. “What?”
“I’m not going.”
“What? Yes you are.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not changing my mind.”
He glared at me. “Sadie, we already discussed this. It would be stupid if you didn’t take that job.”
“And it would be dumber if I left you. It’s just a job, Ethan. There will be others.”
He shook his head. “I can’t let you sacrifice your dream.”
“You are my dream, Ethan. I want to marry you and have kids with you. It’s a different kind of dream, a better one.”
He stared at me. “Sadie—”
“Shut up.”
His eyes widened in surprise.
“I’m not leaving. I didn’t lose my virginity to you because I was horny or just wanted to get laid. I picked you because I loved you. How long will it take me to find someone else that makes me feel this way—if ever? And what about you? You spent your whole life looking for me. Now you’re just going to let me go?”
Ethan sat on the bed and stared at me.
“I’ll keep looking for jobs here. And I like where I work now.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Sadie, are you sure? Your family is going to be so disappointed.”
“No, they won’t. My brother will be upset for a while but he’ll get over it. I know he doesn’t want me to leave either.”
“And your dad?”
“He was the one who told me to stay.”
“He said that?”
I smiled. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because love is more important than money or success. And he’s right.”
He pulled me onto his lap and pressed his nose against mine. “We’ve only been together for a month, Sadie.”
“And that’s all the time I need. I know you’re the one.”
“I don’t know if I can be selfish and let you stay.”
“But I don’t want to go, Ethan. You would be selfish by forcing me.”
He took a deep breath. “Is that your final answer, Sadie? You aren’t going to leave me?”
I kissed him. “I’m never leaving you, Ethan. You are stuck with me.”
His eyes started to turn red with unspent tears. “Thank god.”
I laughed. “I knew you didn’t want me to go.”
“I didn’t know what I was going to do, Sadie. My whole world ended. I would move with you in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t leave my family.”
“Well, now we don’t have to worry about it.”
“God, I’m so relieved.”
I kissed the moisture around his eyes and ran my fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry that I even considered it, babe.”
“Don’t apologize.”
“And I’m sorry that I hurt you.”
“You’re forgiven. I’m just happy that I’m not losing you.”
“You never have to worry about that, Ethan.”
“Promise me.”
“Ethan, I promise that you never have to worry about that—ever.”
Epilogue
When I told my brother I wasn’t moving, he was mad but he got over it. Natascia, on the other hand, was just furious. She argued with me for days—weeks. My mother was disappointed and angry that I turned down the offer. She was looking forward to seeing me on a regular basis. I hated to hurt her feelings, but I didn’t feel too bad about it. She was the one that left us to begin with.
Since Ethan is the only man I’ve ever loved, it didn’t make sense to risk losing him. We had only been together for a short period of time, but I knew I loved him in a way that I would never love anyone else. He was everything to me. How could I even think about leaving him for a job? I was stupid for even considering it.
Elisa was ecstatic that Ethan and I were staying together. I made her brother happy and she wanted to keep it that way. Plus, she always had an extra babysitter around. She didn’t mention Jared or ask about him. She acted like nothing happened. The knowledge that they wouldn’t be together made me really sad. I understood that it was hard for her to move on, but I knew my brother could make her happy. I decided not to bring it up. It really wasn’t my place to interfere with her relationships.
When I came home from work one afternoon, I inserted my keys in the door and unlocked it. Normally Koku would whine at the door as soon as he heard the keys, but today he wasn’t doing that. It had me worried.
When I finally got the door opened, I felt my heart pound. All the lights were off but candles lit the room. Rose pedals were sprinkled everywhere. Ethan was on one knee in the middle of the floor. I dropped my purse as I covered my face. “Oh my god.”
He smiled at me. “Come here.”
I stepped closer and looked down at him. “Ethan.”
“Before you say anything, let me talk.”
“Uh, okay.”
“I know our relationship has been nothing close to normal. We play by our own rules and live by our own standards. I used to be a disgusting asshole, but now I’m a monogamous man, and you used to be a blushing virgin but now you’re a whore—for me.” I felt my cheeks redden. “And instead of waiting for an appropriate time to ask you this, I decided to rush it.” He opened the box and showed it to me. A single key sat on the cushion. “I want to marry you someday and I know we should wait, but I can’t wait to be around you all the time. I need to see you every morning and every night. I need to make love to you before I go to sleep and I need to kiss you every morning. This isn’t permanent, just until the kids start school in a year, but Sadie, will you move in with me and my family?”
I lowered myself to my knees and looked at him. The tears sprang from my eyes. “Ethan.”
He smiled at me. “What’s your answer?”
“Yes, of course I will.” I took the box and grabbed the small key. It was ordinary but it represented so much. “Yes.”
He grabbed my face and kissed me. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“I love you so much, Ethan.”
“I love you too, baby.”
“And if you thought this was romantic, wait until my marriage proposal.”
I wiped my tears away. “You already know what you are going to do?”
He nodded. “It’s already planned.”
“Then why don’t we just get married?”
He stared at me for a moment. “You want to? I know we haven’t been together very long.”
“Ethan, time has no meaning for us.”
“You’re serious?”
“Unless—you know—you aren’t ready.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out another box. “Baby, I’ve been ready.” He opened it and displayed the engagement ring to me. It was small with only a single diamond, but it was so beautiful. It was perfect.
I started to cry. “Oh, Ethan.”
His eyes started to turn red. “Baby, will you do me the honor of marrying me, putting up with this crazy asshole, and making me the happiest man in the world?”
I sniffed. “Yes.”
He placed the ring onto my finger while he looked into my eyes. “You’re mine forever.”
“That’s how it’s always been.”
He kissed me again. “And I’m yours.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I can,” he said with smile.
“I’m so happy.”
“As am I.”
I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. “I love you, Ethan.”
“And I love you, Sadie.”
“You’re okay with putting up with this jealous bitch?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, baby.”
“
You’re my first.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re the first last man I’m going to make love to.”
“No. I’m the only man you’re ever going to make love to—forever.”
The story continues….
Elisa
(Book Two in the Alpha Series)
Available Now
About the Author
E. L. Todd was raised in California where she attended California State University, Stanislaus and received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, then continued onto her master’s degree in education. While she considers science to be interesting, her true passion is writing. She works as an assistant editor at Final-Edits.com.
By E. L. Todd
Soul Catcher
(Book One of the Soul Saga)
Soul Binder
(Book Two of the Soul Saga)
Available December 2013
Only For You
(Book one of the Forever and Always Series)
Forever and Always
(Book Two of the Forever and Always Series)
Edge of Love
(Book three of the Forever and Always Series)
Sadie
(Book One of the Alpha Series)
Elisa
(Book Two of the Alpha Series)
